As we kick off a new year, I wanted to take a moment to celebrate some of the incredible achievements we’ve seen across our department. The hard work and passion of our faculty, students, and alumni continue to make UF’s Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering a leader in innovation and excellence.
2024 was an Olympic year that saw the USA and many Gator athletes bring home the gold. The same can be said of our MAE faculty and students. Six faculty won medals this year for being at the pinnacle of their technical societies. These honors highlight the significant impacts of MAE faculty on enduring societal problems. Our faculty also dedicate their time to providing undergraduate research opportunities and extracurricular activities that allow our students to gain unique insights beyond the classroom. For example, through collaborative interactions with Dr. Jing Pan, students on the UF iGEM Team earned a Gold Medal distinction in Paris for their groundbreaking biomanufactured organoid models. These models unveil the cellular changes in bone marrow when a sepsis-like inflammatory response is introduced. Meanwhile, Dr. Jim Trainham worked with the multidisciplinary team of Solar Gators to win the Altair Challenge and its $10,000 prize at the Electrek American Solar Challenge 2024. Their Sunrider vehicle then crossed nearly 1500 miles of the American countryside with a strong finish covering 198.3 miles in under 5.5 hours on the last day, 10 minutes faster than the overall first-place team! Winning events like these involve a strong faculty, student, and staff team. For example, we highlight the contributions by Daniel Preston, whose dedication and hard work have been pivotal to our department’s success and the success of many of our vehicular-based student competitions.
Another example of extracurricular activities between students, faculty, and staff is our study abroad program. Dr. Jonathan Scheffe led UF MAE students in a hands-on experience with advanced solar technologies while broadening their perspectives in a study abroad opportunity in Spain. His dedication as an educator and technical scholar strengthens our impact on sustainable energy and prepares future engineers for worldwide challenges.
MAE is an innovation leader in thermal management advances dedicated to deliver a more sustainable future. This newsletter also highlights Dr. Youngsup Song’s recent breakthrough in developing advanced materials to keep next-generation mobility technologies cool and efficient. His moisture-resistant oxide fillers improve heat dissipation, making electric vehicles and power electronics more reliable and durable.
We are also proud to highlight outstanding alumni making an impact across industries. Logan Hickox is revolutionizing footwear at Nike with his expertise in robotics. We honor the memory of the legendary Frank Gillette, whose illustrious career and countless achievements continue to inspire future generations of engineers. Alberth Franco, another esteemed alum, has found a strong sense of community and purpose in his professional journey. Their stories reflect the lasting influence of the education and experiences they gained at UF MAE.
Looking ahead, I’m excited to see what we’ll achieve together. Let’s continue to push the boundaries of engineering, collaborate, and make a positive impact.
Thank you for your continued support and dedication.
Sincerely,
Warren Dixon, PhD
Distinguished Professor
Dean’s Leadership Professor and Department Chair
Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
University of Florida